Welcome to Season 12, Episode 9 of the Unconventional Preview, a serious yet lighthearted, nostalgia-tinted look at the Patriots’ weekly matchup . . .
At least the Patriots came away from their disheartening 31-17 loss to the Dolphins last week with something of value: Complete clarity, not only on who they are, but how they must proceed.
The Patriots, coming off a stunning 29-25 victory over Josh Allen and the Bills in Week 7, entered their rematch with the Dolphins hopeful a corner had been turned. Instead, Miami’s abundance of high-end skill players gradually revealed the Patriots as lacking in too many areas to beat a good team for the second straight week.